Camera makers are now building self-contained digital cameras with built-in lenses that have longer zoom ranges than ever. Only a few years ago, a camera with a built-in optical 30x zoom lens was considered an optical breakthrough. But now, cameras with 50x (or longer) zoom lenses are increasingly commonplace.
These cameras packing 50x or longer zoom lenses deserves a new category that stretches beyond superzooms. We’re calling them ultrazooms. Who would have imagined, for example, a camera with a built-in lens with a range that’s equivalent to 24-2000mm on a 35mm camera? These sci-fi cameras are real, they’re here, they’re surprisingly light, and more affordable than you’d expect.
The Smaller Sensor Secret
One of the reasons camera makers can create such long-zoom lens cameras is that sensors have gotten smaller and better. All of the ultrazooms we’ve seen have a thumbnail-sized 1/2.3-inch sensor which allows engineers to create lenses that have an impressive reach but are physically smaller than a larger-sensor camera would require. Using a bit of math, manufacturers take the lens’s actual focal length and extrapolate what the focal length would be if you were shooting with a camera that used a big 35mm sensor.
Sensor technology has improved, as have image processing engines, which help minimize digital noise produced by smaller sensors, so you can make prints that look good. Strong anti-shake technology makes it possible to hand-hold the camera at longer focal lengths and still get sharp pictures, although I recommend investing in a tripod for times when you’re shooting at the longest telephoto setting.
All ultrazoom cameras shoot both high-res (at least 12MP) stills and HD Video. Many have GPS, built-in Wi-Fi, and NFC, and some can be controlled remotely via an app downloaded to a mobile device. Most models also have a “digital zoom” feature, which simply enlarges the center of the image to double or sometimes quadruple the effective maximum focal length. You could also simply crop the image later. Either way, you should expect some loss in image quality when using digital zoom.
Here are ten of the best Ultrazoom compact digital cameras available now. (Prices are accurate as of September 16, 2015).
Canon PowerShot SX530
Adorama price:
- Optical zoom range: 50x; 4.3-215mm (35mm equivalent: 24-1200mm)
- Aperture: f/3.4-6.5
- Resolution: 16MP
- Sensor size: 1/2.3″
- Closest focus: surface of lens (wide), 4.3 ft (tele)
- Video: 1080p
- ISO range: 100-3200
Canon’s 50x superzoom SX50 offers multiple flavors of image stabilization, including stabilization for video, macro, tripod, action and other types of shooting situations. NFC and Wi-Fi are built in, allowing remote control via an app on your mobile device. The camera is compatible with the Canon Connect Station CS100 for wireless image transfers, storage, and playback.
Canon PowerShot SX60
Adorama price:
- Optical zoom range: 65x; 35mm equivalent: 21-1365mm)
- Aperture: f/3.4-6.5
- Resolution: 16MP
- Sensor size: 1/2.3″
- Closest focus: surface of lens (wide), 5.9 ft. (tele)
- Video: 1080/60p full HD
- ISO range: 100-3200; extendable to 6400
The Canon PowerShot SX60 has one of the widest focal lengths to be found in a ultrazoom digital camera, starting at a scene-stretching 21mm. This premium model is packed with features, including an eye-level finder and high-resolution 3-inch flip-out monitor, high-speed AF, zoom framing assist, multiple image stabilization mode, mobile device connectivity via Wi-Fi and tap-connect NFC. RAW and JPEG image capture is available, as is 6.4fps burst rate for action photography.
Fujifilm S9900
Adorama price: $299
- Optical zoom range: 50x; 4.3-215mm (35mm equivalent: 24-1200)
- Aperture: f/2.9-6.5
- Resolution: 16MP
- Sensor size: 1/2.3″
- Closest focus: 0.4 in (wide), 11.4 ft (tele)
- Video: 1080/60i
- ISO range: 100-12800
The low-cost Fujifilm S9900 offers 5-axis image stabilization, 6 scene recognition options, high dynamic range, zoom bracketing, face tracking AF, and much more. The camera offers a bevvy of special effect filters and scene modes. It’s a great choice for less experienced photographers.
Kodak AZ525 PixPro AstroZoom
Adorama price: $229.95
- Optical zoom range: 52x; 4.3-223.6mm (35mm equivalent: 24-1248mm)
- Aperture: f/2.8-5.6
- Resolution: 16MP
- Sensor size: 1/2.3″
- Closest focus 0.4 in (wide) 9.8 ft (tele)
- Video: 1080p
- ISO range: 100-3200
If you’re a bit surprised to see a Kodak camera in this list, don’t blink: It’s being closed out. That means you can get this already low-cost camera for even less. Packed with Wi-Fi connectivity, image stabilization, a 3-inch LCD monitor, and 6fps burst rate, this is a good basic ultrazoom for budget-minded photographers.
Nikon Coolpix P900
Adorama price:
- Optical zoom range: 83x; 4.3-357mm (35mm equivalent: 24-2000mm)
- Aperture: f/2.8-6.5
- Resolution: 16MP
- Sensor size: 1/2.3 inches
- Closest focus: (wide) 0.4 in (tele) 16 ft 5 in.
- Video: 1080/60i video
- ISO range: 100-1600, boostable to 12,800
- Filter thread: 67mm
The Nikon P900 is the world’s first camera with an 83x optical zoom lens that stretches from 24 to 2000mm, with a Dynamic Fine Zoom feature that doubles that to 4000mm. Nikon has deployed its strongest VR (vibration reduction) system and claims a 5-stop image-steadying capability, an essential when zooming out. Other features include built-in Wi-Fi and NFC with smartphone remote operation, built-in GPS with geotagging, a high-resolution eye-level viewfinder and a flip-out LCD monitor.
Nikon Coolpix P610
Adorama price: $396.95
- Optical zoom range: 60x; 4.3-258mm (35mm equivalent: 24-1440mm)
- Aperture: f/3-6.5
- Resolution: 16MP
- Sensor size: 1/2.3″
- Closest focus 0.4 in (wide), 6 ft 7 in (tele)
- Video: 1080/60p full HD
- ISO range: 100-1600, boostable to ISO 12,800
With most of the same features, as the P900 but a shorter lens, the Nikon P900 will save you a bundle. It features full HD video with stereo sound, and a high-resolution eye-level EVF. Available in Red or Black.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70
Adorama price $297.95
- Optical zoom range: 60x; 3.58-215mm (35mm equivalent: 20-120mm)
- Aperture: f/2.8-5.9
- Resolution: 16MP
- Sensor size: 1/2.3″
- Closest focus 0.4 in (wide), 4.9 ft (tele)
- Video: 1080/60i
- ISO range: 100-3200; push to 6400
A technologically advanced camera with a relatively low pricetag, the Panasonic FZ70 has a superwide-to-supertele range that starts 20mm, the world’s widest. It has powerful optical image stabilization, is crammed with creative controls and in-camera retouch, and has both a 3-inch LCD monitor and an EVF eye-level viewfinder.
Pentax XG-1
Adorama price: $149.95
- Optical zoom range: 52x; 4.3-223.6mm (35mm equivalent: 24-1248mm)
- Aperture: f/2.8-5.6
- Resolution: 16MP
- Sensor size: 1/2.3″
- Closest focus 0.3 in (wide), 9.8 ft. (tele)
- Video: 1080/30p HD video
- ISO range: 100-3200
The least expensive ultrazoom model comes from Pentax, and you sacrifice very little to save big bucks here. The EVF and LCD monitors are somewhat lower resolution but fine for reference, and there’s no wireless capabilities. Otherwise, this is a full-featured camera with powerful SR Shake Reduction, HDR, and high-speed continuous shooting at 60fps.
Sony DSC-H400
Adorama price: $318
- Optical zoom range: 63x; 24-1550mm
- Aperture: f/3.4-6.5
- Resolution: 20MP
- Sensor size: 1.2/3″
- Closest focus 0.3 in (wide), 11.5 ft (tele)
- Video: 720/30p video
- ISO range: 80-3200
The mid-range priced Sony DSC-H400 was the world’s first 63x ultrazoom camera and although it now has some company, it is still an optical and technical marvel. This version includes Optical SteadyShot, which is said to smooth out shaky images; it also has an EVF for eye-level viewing.
